How to Make a Good Confession

1. Examine our Conscience.
2. Have Sorrow for our Sins (Act of Contrition).
3. Make a firm resolution not to sin again.
4. Confess our sins to the priest.
5. Accept the penance which the priest gives us.

How to Confess to the Priest

(Prayer aids on how to make a good confession will be available in the Church) The Priest will often begin with the Sign of the Cross or a greeting and blessing.May the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of all the saints, whatever good you do and suffering you endure, heal your sins, help you grow in holiness, and reward you with eternal life. Go in peace. –Rite of Penance, no. 93

PREPARATION: Before going to confession, take some time to prepare. Begin with prayer, and reflect on your life since your last confession. How have you — in your thoughts, words, and actions — neglected to live Christ’s commands to “love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mt. 22:37,39)? As a help with this “examination of conscience,” you might review the Ten Commandments or the Beatitudes (Ex. 20:2-17; Dt. 5:6-21; Mt. 5:3-10; or Lk. 6:20-26).

GREETING: The priest will welcome you; he may say a short blessing or read a Scripture passage.

THESIGNOFTHECROSS: Together, you and the priest will make the Sign of the Cross. You may then begin your confession with these or similar words: “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [give days, months, or years] since my last confession.”

CONFESSION: Confess all your sins to the priest. If you are unsure what to say, ask the priest for help. When you are finished, conclude with these or similar words: “I am sorry for these and all my sins.”

PENANCE: The priest will propose an act of penance. The penance might be prayer, a work of mercy, or an act of charity. He might also counsel you on how to better live a Christian life.

ACTOFCONTRITION:After the priest has conferred your penance, pray an Act of Contrition, expressing sorrow for your sins and resolving to sin no more. A suggested Act of Contrition is:

O My God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell; but most of all because I have offended Thee, My God, who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

(Act of Contrition cards will be available in the Church/Confessional. Other approved acts of Contrition/Prayer of the Penitent are listed following this step-by-step process.)

ABSOLUTION: The priest will extend his hands over your head and pronounce the words of absolution. You respond, “Amen.”

PRAISE: The priest will usually praise the mercy of God and will invite you to do the same. For example, the priest may say, “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good.” And your response would be, “His mercy endures for ever” (Rite of Penance, no. 47).

DISMISSAL: The priest will conclude the sacrament, often saying, “Go in peace.”

If it has been a while since your last confession, remember, “Do not fear” (Is. 41:10). The priest will help guide you. (For more information, visit www.usccb.org/confession.)

Luke 15:18; 18:13: Father, I have sinned against you and am not worthy to be called your son. Be merciful to me, a sinner.

Or: Father of mercy, like the prodigal son I return to you and say: “I have sinned against you and am no longer worthy to be called your son.”

Christ Jesus, Savior of the world, I pray with the repentant thief to who you promised Paradise: “Lord, remember me in your kingdom.” Holy Spirit, fountain of love, I call on you with trust: “Purify my heart, and help me to walk as a child of light.”

Or:

Lord Jesus, you opened the eyes of the blind, healed the sick, forgave the sinful woman, and after Peter’s denial confirmed him in your love. Listen to my prayer: forgive all my sins, renew your love in my heart, help me to live in perfect unity with my fellow Christians that I may proclaim your saving power to all the world.

Or: Lord God, in your goodness have mercy on me: do not look on my sins, but take away all my guilt. Create in me a clean heart and renew within me an upright spirit.

Or: Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

Or: Lord Jesus, you chose to be called the friend of sinners. By your saving death and resurrection free me from my sins. May your peace take root in my heart and bring forth a harvest of love, holiness, and truth.

Q: Why is Sacramental Confession necessary for Catholics? A: Catholics believe that Confession is necessary for the forgiveness of post-baptismal sins because Christ instituted the Sacrament of Penance for this purpose (John 20:22-23). Church Canon Law states: "All the faithful who have reached the age of discretion are bound faithfully to confess their grave sins at lease once a year." (CIC, 989). Catholics who confess their sins have the assurance of Christ Himself that their sins are forgiven (Matt 18:18; John 20:23).

Q: How often should one go to Sacramental Confession? A: The second precept (or law) of the Catholic Church states: "You shall confess your sins at least once a year. This ensures preparation for the Eucharist by the reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which continues Baptism's work of conversion and forgiveness" (2042). As a matter of devotion, monthly Confession or Seasonal Confession (Christmas, Easter, Pentecost) is recommended. Children and RCIA Candidates are to go to Confession prior to their receiving First Holy Communion. (CIC, 914), (RCIA, 482). Pastoral Counsel: "If you commit a mortal sin, go to Confession as soon as you can and certainly before your next Holy Communion. For spiritual growth, go to Confession regularly or seasonally."

Q: "I understand that it is not necessary to go to Confession before we go to Holy Communion unless we have committed a mortal sin. If we are not guilty of mortal sins, do we still have to go to Confession during the Easter Season? A: You are correct in stating that if we have committed a mortal sin it is necessary to go to Confession before receiving Holy Communion. However, if we have not committed a mortal sin it is not necessary to go the Confession during the Easter Season. A worthy Holy Communion is the requirement at Easter Time. If, during the Easter Season, a person is in the state of grace, not in mortal sin, no Confession is necessary. (CIC, 920-1-2; 989). The main event of going to confession is the reception of God’s forgiveness. Don’t let the mechanics of making a confession discourage you.

Q: What is the Easter Duty? A: The Easter Duty is the obligation to receive a worthy Holy Communion during the Easter Time, i.e., the time between the first Sunday of Lent and Trinity Sunday, a period of about a hundred days. If we are not in the state of grace, then we must go to Sacramental Confession before receiving our Easter Duty Communion.

Q: Is it a sin if Catholics never go to Confession? A: "Never say never." The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "Children must go to the Sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time." (CCC, #1457), (CIC, Can. 914) Also: "Anyone conscious of a grave sin must receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before coming to Communion." (CCC, # 1385 and 1457), (CIC, Can. 989), (1 Cor II:27-29) And: "…after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year." (CCC, # 1457), (CIC, Can. 989).

The Sacrament of Penance is part of the "Catholic Sick Call" that prepares the sick person for death. Holy Communion (Viaticum), Anointing of the Sick (Extreme Unction) and the Apostolic Blessing (Papal Blessing) are also parts of the sick call (CCC, # 1525). So, apart from these times of necessary Confession, a person without mortal sin need not go to Confession. "Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is, nevertheless, strongly recommended by the Church." (CCC, #1458), (CIC, Can. 988 #2). Jesus and Sigmund might well say together: "Keep in touch; Confession is good for peace of soul and peace of mind."